“The Adults Are Talking” by The Strokes
This song (“The Adults Are Talking”) is apparently centered on the singer criticizing higher-ups on the social ladder. Whom it is in particular he is referring to in that regard is not specified. At some points it can be determined to be politicians and at others, such as the outro, business leaders.
And such indiscernibility is largely attributable to the hard-to-decipher nature of the metaphors used throughout. Or put more plainly, the lyrics of this track are not easy to understand. Indeed at certain junctures they almost read as if “The Adults Are Talking” is a love song.
But logically, it is also pretty clear that the singer is not referring to romance throughout. Rather what he seems to be alluding to is some type of beef between “us” and “they”. And as you likely already know, when writers resort to such language the “they” is usually a reference to the powers that be, and the “us” would be the laymen or more common folk, like the singer himself.
But again, this entire analysis of the song is pretty much based on conjecture, as virtually none of the wording contained therein is specific enough to definitively tie down a meaning.
Verse 1
For instance, it has also been put forth that what Julian Casablancas is rather speaking to in the first verse is the concept of others rather perceiving The Strokes as “they”. In other words, the fact that the band comes from a more-fortunate background than most other rock acts have earned them their fair share of criticisms in terms of not being authentic.
And what Julian is saying in response, if you were to interpret the verse that way, is that regardless of the disses The Strokes have endured and are here to stay regardless.
Or it can instead be interpreted that the band is not the subject of the verse but rather the elite and the masses, as put forth earlier. And under this interpretation, which is apparently how the song is generally understood, what is being put forth is that the rulers of the society view the people as not only being inferior but also some type of inconvenience.
This is especially true as far as the unruly ones are concerned. But such individuals, as is the singer apparently, remain on the leaders’ behinds nonetheless.
Verse 2
Indeed that particular idea is supported by the temperament of the second verse. This particular stanza is based on the singer confronting someone who has proven untruthful. And the reason he is able to ascertain such is because now, unlike the past (i.e. pre-internet days), information is readily available to prove this person wrong. So that whole interaction would logically be directed towards someone in power.
Outro
Then the outro features the vocalist shouting on “stockholders”. So that’s why we can say that this song is not only directed at political heads but also those in business – the one percent, so to speak. And simply put he doesn’t think highly of the lot of them either. He basically depicts them and their political ilk as perpetually-deceitful oppressors.
“The Adults are Talking”
And such is apparently the idea the title is meant to point to, again in a roundabout way. The titular term “the adults are talking” implies that two or more parties are having a conversation concealed from a third. And the reason the two are concealing the conversation is based on an interesting belief. They are apparently of the belief that are more intelligent, mature or superior in some other way to the third.
And within the context of this song, those two parties would be two of the elites. The third party would be something like us laymen, who are never truly aware of what goes on behind the scene.
Meanwhile in the chorus, taking all of the above to note, Casablancas seems to be further dissing the elite. He depicts them as being “confused” and basically conceited.
And it’s as if conclusively, taking into account the bridge also for instance, what he is saying is that he “don’t want anything” to do with them. Or put alternatively, he has completely lost faith in the rulers of the land.
A Meaningless Song?
Despite all the above said, many consider this song to be generally devoid of any meaning. And honestly the lyrics are very challenging to decipher.
In fact when “The Adults Are Talking” was initially heard by the masses via an unofficial fan-filmed video, NME actually said the tune sounded like it was “written by an AI bot”.
But we also know that rock-and-rollers in particular have an affinity for using the most-elaborate metaphors imaginable to get their ideas across.
Facts about “The Adults Are Talking”
The following members of The Strokes are the credited writers of this song:
- Moretti
- Valensi
- Fraiture
- Hammond Jr.
- Casablancas
And the producer of this track is a musician who is known more for his pioneering contributions to hip-hop than the rock music efforts. He is in the person of Rick Rubin. Moreover the track was recorded in Rick Rubin’s Malibu studio known as Shangri-La.
The Strokes premiered this tune during a live performance back on 13 May 2019.
The track was eventually made public by RCA Records and Cult Records on 10 April 2020. It is one of the singles from the band’s album entitled “The New Abnormal”. This album birthed a number of singles, including “At The Door” and “Bad Decisions“.
The single went on to become a mild hit, most notably peaking at number two on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Songs chart. It was also a top 10 hit on their Hot Rock & Alternative Songs listing.
Roman Coppola, Francis Ford Coppola’s son, directed the music video to “The Adults Are Talking”. And on top of being an accomplished Hollywood filmographer himself, Roman has worked semi-regularly alongside The Strokes throughout the years.
Beck makes a cameo appearance in said music video.
I think he is singing about a guy he has had a secret fling with. The two are interested in each other, but in some unacceptable way.
Will… why you gotta go there? Almost ruined the song for me. Glad that isnt what it really is.
Timmy, homophobes are no longer tolerated in our society. Not socially acceptable anymore. Better change or soon you will say something that will cost you your job.
boo
he ment boobs ngl
I’m so glad you said this😂😂
how does that even ruin the song for you
exactly Jessica, Timmy is a homophobe and probably doesn’t even know what that means.
thank you jessica<3
PERIODT JESSICA
What a d-bag Jessica
thanks Jessica you are perfect <3
period. well said. SLAY JESSICA 🙌👏👏
Thanks, Mom! Glad we gave you the role of telling people how to be, because no one else wants that role (seems too much like we’re saying we know everything). 🙂
jessica ur the best
Timmy, literally no one asked <3
are you coming out as homophobic 🥺🥺
Talk about a crystal skin.
agree with you, this topics are so overrated nowadays
I don’t interpret your msg as homophobic. I’m with ya, I don’t want to think about the song like that
If some random comment made by some random guy online is enough to almost “ruin the song” for you then you need to get your sh-t together because that is pathetic. People interpret different things in different ways, that should not affect you.
i agree. “youll think of me when u think of her” and “youre all confused cuz u want me too” kinda sounds like hes talking to a guy about the two of them. idk though these lyrics are all over the place
there are lots of other lines such as “they will blame us, crucify and shame us” links to homophobia, and in my opinion “don’t go there cause you’ll never return” makes me think of a questioning guy whos scared to let go and embrace his sexuality
Totally agreee this is exactly what I was thinking when I listened to it, I love the story
The line “I know you think of me when you think of her,” insinuates that the person who the song is about has a lover who is a woman. The song is either about a bi girl or a bi guy.
They can also be of any other gender and any other sexuality that involves liking 2 or more genders. Bisexual and straight arent the only sexualities out there bestie
periodt bestie
Pan supremacy!!!
That’s how I perceived it right off the bat….the songs meaning metaphorically morphs, shifts from criticizing the bourgeoisie, elitists who essentially snub their noses at artist types in general, saying we should all be Karen’s, then shifts and relates it to how in public he expects his lover (who is a man who is married- said man is apparently having an extramarital affair with man in song), and maybe how in public he relations expects his lover to keep up the guise that they are just friends….maintain the facade. Be like them….socially acceptable. But artists can’t just conform. It’s against our nature. The songs common thread is people pretending to be something thei not, and how the man singing from the first person’s contempt for what he either cant have, doesn’t want anyways, and csnt accept. It’s relevant on so many levels. At least that’s how I read into it and feel about it. It’s absolutely brilliant.
Its about politicians against the people. Adults = Politicians. People = children. Whe he says i know you think of me, when you think of her refers that people think of politicians when they think of money (her) . Its like whats happening right now. We demanding the government for money cuz of the pendemic. See! We the people are just their children and the government are our parents. They control us.
This songs is about the Government or politicians (adults) and us the people( children).
When julian says i know you think of me, when you think of her he is reffering to Us children (people) when we need money always think of our parents( politicians) to ask for money( her). We are controlled by the politicians. So this is a talk between the politicians and us the people.
Same, I came here to confirm if what you said is true but apparently people are saying something else.
The song is quiet literally just about politics. Julian also was going through a divorce who knows what could’ve happened with his ex wife if she had something with another woman.
Analyzing this as a singer-songwriter, the song can definitely take on a few different themes within the verses & chorus. The first verse seems very political to me: “you’re sophisticated, over educated.” To me, it sounds like a statement of an ignorant person that doesn’t understand facts. Another line that falls into the political theme is: “information’s here, here & everywhere.” For the most part, the song definitely has more of a romantic theme. Great music, nonetheless.
and that’s the beauty of music, it can have so many different meanings depending on how you interpret it or who you are as a person :))
Bolches yarboclos
The tune is indeed catchy, but the lyrics are somewhat obscure.
Honestly, I feel like the singer is talking about how their partner is venturing off with other lovers and is afraid of losing them. “Don’t go there cause you’ll never return” But his partner knows that he’s the one for them hence the line “I know you think of me when you think of her”
This song is very deep to me. It could be taken varies ways, but I want to touch on some of the deeper notions. To me this is a love letter from God(Our Ture selves) to us( the ego mind or the devil/The false idea we have of ourselves). I’ll go line for line; “They’ve been sayin’, “You’re sophisticated”
They’re complaining’, overeducated”. This is How the ignorance of the World looks as the Wisdom of those who are Godly. Intellect to a fool seems foolish. To a murderer, Love seems useless. The next lines are, “You are saying all the words I’m dreaming
Say it after me
Say it after me”. To me this represents our True Consciousness and the union between our actions and our True thoughts. Most often and most likely our Higher Self knows better than our lower self. The people that are the most fulfilled are the people that follow the thoughts of their Higher Selves. If an idea is yours(lower self) its easy to be stubborn and stick to that idea no matter how much grief it causes you, but it takes real strength to adopt the idea of one that knows better than you, sacrificing the notion of your independence. “They will blame us, crucify and shame us
We can’t help it if we are a problem
We are tryin’ hard to get your attention”. IN a World full of ignorance, The truly wise and truly good will be blamed and persecuted. Even though they are good, to the World they are bad because true pleasure is a problem of pain and good is a problem for Evil. The the wicked man, Goodness is a sin. Even though the World condemns the Good, the Good is still Trying to get the attention of the Bad. Even though the World is Good’s enemy, The Good is still trying to rescue the World(the Bad). “I’m climbin’ up your wall
Climbin’ up your wall”. The good is so powerful that even the Bad feels its power. The power of Good(God) convicts all. Even the serial killer knows right from wrong. “Don’t go there ’cause you’ll never return
I know you think of me when you think of her .”The life that is filled with wrong doings is tempting, because it is forbidden A.K.A There is a Rule against it/it is banned. And sense we all are rebels naturally, We fight against this rule. Even though the Temptations of the flesh are so strong, The power and reward of The Spirit are far Superior. Even a serial killer knows deep down that what he is doing is Wrong, and dreams of a higher path.
I have came to the point to where I’m to tired to keep on describing this song. But if anyone has read this and wants me to continue with my interpretation, I will do so upon request. Good Day.
Yes, this exactly…going through something similar at the moment, and that’s how the lyrics hit me. It could all just be jibberish, but we tend to find our own meaning where there is none.
This song did gain some popularity after it was added into the hit game “Grand Theft Auto V”
I feel like is literally talking about adults and their expectatives, and how they just wanna makes us do as they say, as they “talk”
Exactly, that’s my main impression, rather than the love issue.
I also feel that it’s about adults thinking how the newer generations are over educated on political matters
Yeah I can see how ppl think it’s about political society and things but to me I definitely feel it’s more on the romantic side. I almost personalize it as a lover who puts off as a rlly good amazing person very well liked “they’ve been saying your sophisticated over educated” who sounds like they have it all together and all that who really tries to keep people thinking like this so when he says “say it after me they’ll blame us crudity us shame us we can help if we’re a problem” he’s trying to explain that he’s climbed up the wall he’s built of this facade and that they’ll shame him bla bla but he knows better that they’ll never get out the other side of trying to please people. Maybe they even broke up and he’s trying to play it off like he’s fine but the artist knows better since they’ve climbed up their walls that they’re still hurting “I know u think of me when u think of her”. He’s trying to get over things but doing them wrong u rebounds don’t work it’s all about hype and drama but in reality it doesn’t fix the whole of a missing love. But the artist is now above it all and knows better and that it’s not their fault they’re stuck in this cycle of temporary fixes and false happiness maybe even drugs when referred to don’t go there because you’ll never return. Idk, pretty random just how id like to think of it
Love love love this interpretation
My initial impression is that the song is about the expectations and pressures of the older generation towards the youth, to fall into line with their goals, values and virtues, and all the while the youth can see through this. The young want to please their parents because they love them but there’s cognitive dissonance because they know better; have a clearer perspective and understanding of the world and what is important, due to the access of information. I feel the video may support this. The music video seems to make a mockery of old American pastimes that seemed so important to the older generation but now seem trite in the context of the current age.
I’m pretty much agree with you. Or I see it also as general relation between parents and children/teens.
– “We can’t help it if we are a problem”, We are tryin’ hard to get your attention” Sounds like children or teenagers trying to get the attention of their parents but are only seen as a problem.
-“Don’t go there ’cause you’ll never return” I see it as the entrance in the domestic life, in which after you enter you become an “adult” and too sophisticated, educated, etc..
-“Because you’re all confused ’cause you want me to But then you want me to do it the same as you” I interpret this as parents or older generation who wants the younger one to do the same, like the same, because of the things they missed in their own life.
-“And then you did something wrong and you said it was great” Here we see the older generation don’t wat to recognize their fault in front of the younger, because they have more experience, they know better or at least its what they think.
The young people are not understood by the elder generation and so they feel lost in this world where we tell them to do the same though the world has change. They feel too much pressure on saving the words and fix older mistakes (for example global warming), and they just want to live cool without thinking about work, politic, etc…
This is how I interpreted it too. I don’t know how people got romance out of this song.
I think it’s even deeper in the very same way. The adults are the leaders and such (society ego) and the children are the younger generation who know that there’s a better way. Don’t go there because you’ll never return, are the younger generation saying “don’t get caught up in the society ego way”. Then continue to say “they will blame us crucify and shame us”. We can’t help it if we are a problem, we are trying to get your attention…Younger generation saying “we aren’t trying to be a nuisance, we’re just trying to get your attention!”. I know you think of me when you think of her, The younger generation looking up to some adult (e.g. mother, because she’s a female…it could be a he too) and who as an adult must be doing it right. But look again…there’s no recompense for the adult’s actions and then she/he did something wrong but she/he said it was great. And now you don’t know how you could ever complain. The adult can’t complain because doing wrong turned out to be self-serving as society ego carries on. But then you want me to do it the same as you. Younger generation saying “I don’t feel right doing it the wrong way and benefiting at the expense of others to only serve myself. I don’t want anything. Younger generation saying “I don’t want what others have, I want to be myself”. I know it’s not your fault. Younger generation saying ” I know you’re not to blame. You’ve just gotten caught up it what you can’t get back from (society ego) and I forgive you”. Always I do, it’s not for you. Younger generation saying what I do is not for you (society ego) but for everyone including you!
this song is bussin but it confuses the hell out of me
I liked all the different theories. Mine is that we should take the song literally about parents and children.
”They’ve been sayin’, “You’re sophisticated”
They’re complainin’, overeducated” Parents are saying that we should be educated and stuff but on the other head they are complaining that we’re playing it smarties and we think we know everything.
”You are saying all the words I’m dreaming
Say it after me, SAY IT AFTER ME ” (this is the parents commanding). Some parents are trying to pass their dreams to their children and they are forcing them to follow that career.
”They will blame us, crucify and shame us
We can’t help it if we are a problem” Parents are always judging, but if they think that we are the problem, we can’t do anything about that, for not being who they want us to be.
”We are tryin’ hard to get your attention
I’m climbin’ up your wall
Climbin’ up your wall” This can literally mean that children are climbing up their windows to go to parties without their parents concern (maybe to get their attention sometimes).
” Don’t go there ’cause you’ll never return ” This is referring to parents. Don’t have children if you want to live like you live now, because your life will completely change, so have that in mind before you make that choice.
Because then when you think of your wife, you will always have in mind and me (the child) ”I know you think of me when you think of her””
”But then it don’t make sense when you’re tryin’ hard
To do the right thing but without recompense” Sometimes we (children) don’t understand why parents love us so much without something to gain, cause we don’t know what it’s like to be a parent.
”And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
And now you don’t know how you could ever complain” Sometimes parents do something wrong and now they lose their ability to complain about our mistakes, since they make some too.
”Because you’re all confused ’cause you want me to
But then you want me to do it the same as you” Even though they did mistakes, they want to make us like them.
”No more askin’ questions or excuses
Information’s here
Here and everywhere” Children are always asking questions which is annoying, or do something wrong because they didn’t know the consequences. But now with the internet, the information is everywhere, so they shouldn’t always ask questions or be like ‘i didn’t know that was gonna happen’ cause you can search everything.
”I don’t, I don’t want anything
I know it’s not, it’s not your fault” Sometimes we don’t know what we wanna do, or who we are, but it is not our parents’ fault, they shouldn’t blame themselves.
”I don’t want anyone
Always I do, it’s not for you” We always want to be alone but at the same time we really need our parents by our side.
”Stockholders
Same shit, a different lie
I’ll get it right sometime
Oh, maybe not tonight” Adulthood, having to deal with money and stuff, but maybe not today.
P.S. I really fucking love this song
I see all these comments lol, I’m pretty sure we can all have our opinions on this bc it’s a song and ppl perceive things differently so we shouldn’t be mad at the other person. Now me yea I totally think the song is abt being gay and loving a person that isn’t and is in a relationship.
Lo interpreto de la misma manera
I’m just about to get married soon. She’s wonderful, but I’m beyond nervous. I just started school and immediately gravitated towards a classmate that is really sweet and relatable to where I’m at in life. She’s married too…yet there is undeniable tension whenever we’re together. Literally makes my heart hurt.
When I try to look this song up online it usually auto-populates the title to “The Adulterer’s Are Talking”.
My theory: Marriages that don’t eventually end in divorce are becoming abnormal.. Kind of slowly becoming the NEW abnormal. Julian may have put enough creative spin on this wonderful song to give me and folks in similar situations a relatable tune for a seldom relatable scenario. When I sing this to myself, the world makes a little more sense.
I respect this interpretation, the truth is there is probably a lot of outside influence of politics and family power dynamics, the way a family works and how challenging it really can be to keep it all together and stay together
I love how everyone is just going off on Timmy here
Agg’s is more aligned to what I’m thinking it’s about. In addition..doing things to please others will never work out in the end with your parents, I’ll get it right some day, but not tonight, I’m going to do what I want to do because it’s impossible to please them.
People hate Timmy here HHAHA
(Disclaimer: English is not my first language, be nice while correcting me) To me this song is about confronting (or wanting to but staying silent) a parent or someone from an older generation, someone who keeps pushing your boundaries and trying to shove down your throat their beliefs and expectation about life and society, just because they are older (adults, or “more” adult) than you therefor they think they know better. But you know they’d have screwed up things and made mistakes, so you are looking at them questioning how can they come from this nonexistent high horse to give you any kind of speech about rights and wrongs. To me is an interpellation to authority and status quo, I feel like he’s saying: “Ok, I’m listening, but I know what you’ve done and I don’t understand why you want me to be as miserable, corrupt, and lost as you are right now. So I’m just gonna do whatever the fuck I want because you will complain anyways, you will not ever be content with me as long as I don’t follow your rules”.